At War Again

The face -- and lessons -- of our latest war.

I am a middle-class, Jewish woman born in suburban New Jersey. Why have I spent most of the last 21 years living in a war zone?

Since I was blessed to settle in the Land of Israel, I have witnessed -- no! experienced -- a succession of wars. Each had its own distinct persona.

The "first intifada" in 1988 was like an adolescent boy, exuding the meanness and petty violence of a juvenile delinquent. Throwing rocks and burning tires in their own Arab villages, they affected me only when Jewish soldiers were injured. Passing through the Arab shuk, a two-minute walk from my Jerusalem Old City home, I would see the shops ominously shuttered and dark, "on strike," for months at a time, on the orders of the P.L.O., safely sequestered in Tunis. When one poor shopkeeper dared to open his shop, it was swiftly set aflame by his Arab brethren.

The Gulf War of 1991 was like a mythical dragon threatening to incinerate us with its fiery breath. We donned the appropriate armor -- plastic-wrapped safe rooms and gas masks -- and were miraculously saved by our Champion, God Himself. He worked miracles so patently obvious that even seasoned news reporters enthused on the air: "Another Scud has hit a densely populated area and has caused neither injuries nor damage. It's miraculous!"

But the Gulf War had its scary moments, as all dragons do. The first time the sirens went off, we ran to our safe room (our bedroom), sealed the door, donned our gas masks, and then coaxed our four-year-old daughter to put her child-sized mask on. She refused, so we forced it on her. The next morning the news reported that a four-year-old Israeli Arab girl had died when her parents forced her gas mask on her. I still shudder at the memory.

The Oslo War taught me how to pray with fervor every time my husband or one of my children took a bus or went to shop in downtown Jerusalem.

Then, just before Rosh Hashana, 2000, the Oslo War erupted. With its weekly and sometimes daily terror attacks, it was a deadly, sinister monster that could not be defeated and usually not even identified. Disguised variously as a religious Jew getting on a bus, a nondescript girl entering a supermarket, or a woman in a thick coat attending the Passover Seder at the Park Hotel, this enemy fought with an impassioned cruelty that kept us all trembling in fear. The Oslo War taught me how to pray with fervor every time my husband or one of my children took a bus or went to shop in downtown Jerusalem. And when they returned alive and whole, I would praise and thank God with an enthusiasm that the spiritually tepid could well envy.

Israel lost the Oslo War. Its terrorist perpetrators succeeded in terrorizing us. Many wealthy Israelis took their children and fled abroad. Those of us chained to the Land of Israel by idealism or poverty stayed, and spent the war's duration going from funeral to condolence call to hospital visit, shedding copious tears insufficient to quell the fires of our enemy's hatred.

I remember the funeral of five-month-old Yehudah Shoham, his parents' only child after years of waiting. The infant was in his car seat in the back of his parents' car when a barrage of rocks fractured his skull. Listening to the heartbreaking eulogies, I thought to myself, "I am heartsick from attending the funerals of children." We as a nation buried over a thousand children, mothers, fathers, even whole families, during that worst of all wars.

Then, in 2002, after the Passover massacre that killed 29 Jews engaged in their Seder, Israel finally retaliated with its own war: Operation Defensive Shield. We went back into the territories we had entrusted to the care of Yassir Arafat, and tried to clean out the terrorists' nests. Operation Defensive Shield was like a battered woman finally fighting back. An unprecedented record 90% of reservists who were called up reported for duty, as well as many who were not called but who were eager to finally be allowed to fight the monster.

On Israeli Independence Day, two weeks after that calamitous Passover, my family helped serve a barbeque to the soldiers in an outpost near Bethlehem. Dressed in their battle fatigues, the soldiers ate hurriedly, then donned their helmets, jumped onto their armored personnel carriers, and, waving to us, started to rumble off toward the battle. They were reservists, in their thirties. In addition to being someone's son, most of them were also someone's husband and someone's father. As we stood there, waving them off, I wondered how many of them would return alive.

THE NEW WAR

Eventually Israel, aching for peace, decided to build a fence to end all wars. "Unilateral withdrawal" became the peace panacea. With a state-of-the-art fence keeping our enemies out—on the Lebanese border, in Gaza, and in Judea and Samaria, one Israeli politician bragged that we had bought ourselves peace on our own terms.

But now, six years after leaving Lebanon and one year after leaving Gaza, we are at war again, on both fronts. Our fences are not deep enough to keep terrorists from tunneling under them, nor high enough to keep Katyusha rockets from hurtling over them. Following Wednesday morning's Hezbollah attack on Israel's northern border, leaving eight Israeli soldiers dead and two kidnapped, Israel has called up the reserves and put a siege around Lebanon. On Thursday, Hezbollah launched over 80 rockets into the towns and cities of northern Israel, killing two women and wounding 120 others. Two missiles hit Haifa, Israel's third-largest city. We are at war again.

Jerusalem is out of the range of the rockets, but my heart is within the range of the enemy's diabolical attacks.

Thursday night we call our friends Eliahu and Teva in the northern city of Safed, where scores of rockets have fallen, killing one and seriously injuring others. Our friends and their children spent the afternoon in the bomb shelter of their apartment building. "The sound of the rockets whizzing through the air and exploding scare all the children," Eliahu comments dourly. Some of their neighbors have fled Safed. We invite our friends to come to Jerusalem and stay with us.

Jerusalem is out of the range of the rockets, but my heart is within the range of the enemy's diabolical attacks. I cry when I pray for Gilad Shalit (Gilad ben Aviva), the young soldier kidnapped by Hamas terrorists this side of the Gaza fence. And I cry when I pray for Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, the two young reservists kidnapped on this side of the Lebanese border. I cry for the families of the eight soldiers who are preparing to bury their dead sons.

On Friday night, our Shabbat guests are five soldiers, tank commanders. Until the last minute, we are unsure whether they will show up. If Israel decides on a ground offensive, these boys (the oldest of them is 20) will likely be sent to the battlefront. I am filled with fear for them. On the first day of the war, a tank sent over the border to search for the kidnapped soldiers hit a giant explosive and was ripped to pieces, decimating the bodies of the four boys inside.

Our Shabbat guests tell us that Gilad Shalit (kidnapped near Gaza) is a member of their unit, as were the other three soldiers who were killed when the Gazan terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at their tank on a routine patrol. Sitting around our Shabbat table, they explain to us that every tank has a built-in mechanism that, when the tank bursts into flames, sucks the air out of the tank interior to put out the fire. But, because human beings need air, the tank crew then has no choice but to evacuate the tank. This, they explain, was the fatal tactical error of the crew in the attacked tank: They got out, and thus were easy prey for the terrorists, who killed three of them and kidnapped Gilad.

"But what could they have done if there was no air inside the tank?" I ask, perplexed. The boys look at each other and squirm. They have no good answer. No answer that could have saved Gilad and his crewmates. No answer that could save themselves.

THE SIMPLE EQUATION

My battered heart reels at the continued news of deadly rockets raining on Israel's towns and cities. I mourn for the death of our soldiers and civilians, but I am gratified by the death of illusion, the illusion that further unilateral withdrawals will bring peace, the illusion that we can be secure behind our fences, the illusion that our enemies can be placated by more and more concessions, the illusion that the international community will this time be on our side. Our present predicament results from the wishful thinking of those who choose to ignore the clearly stated (in Arabic) designs of our enemies; From those who crave international acceptance more than a reckoning with our own reality.

As God has made abundantly clear throughout the Torah and the Prophets, the Land of Israel is the eternal inheritance of the Jewish People. But to actually possess the Land, we must merit it.

Reality has now caught up with us, and it, too, has its own persona. It has the face of the Prophet Jeremiah, to whom God made clear the simple equation: When we as a nation merit spiritually to keep the Land of Israel, we will keep it. And when we lack the spiritual merit to keep the Land, we will lose it. As Jeremiah, a mouthpiece for the Divine voice, proclaimed "For what reason did the land perish and become parched like the desert, without a passerby? God has said: ‘Because of their forsaking My Torah that I put before them; moreover, they did not heed My voice nor follow it.'" (Jeremiah 9:11-12).

As God has made abundantly clear throughout the Torah and the Prophets, the Land of Israel is the eternal inheritance of the Jewish People, as promised to our Patriarchs. But to actually possess the Land and live in it, we must merit it. The Land of Israel belongs to us like a mortgaged house belongs to its owner. The "mortgage" that we owe is compliance with the Divine covenant that governs our relationship with God and man.

I do not know if we will win this latest war. But I do know that it is not in the hands of Hamas nor Hezbollah. Not in the hands of our political or military leaders. Not in the hands of the U.S. nor the U.N. Our victory depends on us and the spiritual merit we generate by keeping the mitzvot. Until we accept on ourselves this reality, we are doomed to be at war -- again and again.

Coming to Israel? The Riglers invite you to their home for "An Enchanted Evening in the Old City," with a Broadway-style musical show. For more information, click here.

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About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of Heavenprints, as well as the bestsellers: God Winked: Tales and Lessons from my Spiritual Adventures, Holy Woman, Lights from Jerusalem, and Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller). She is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Canada, and over thirty American cities. A graduate of Brandeis University, after fifteen years of practicing and teaching meditation and Eastern philosophy, she discovered "the world's most hidden religion: Torah Judaism." Since 1985, she has been living as a Torah-observant Jew in the Old City of Jerusalem with her husband and two children. She presents a highly-acclaimed Marriage Workshop for women [seewww.kesherwife.com] as well as a Gratitude Workshop. To invite her to your community, please write to info@sararigler.com.

Visitor Comments: 41

I love the people of Israel and pray to God every day for their safety and prosperity.I am writing from Zambia, Africa. I would like the Jews to know that they have friends here who wish them well.

(40)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2006 12:00 AM

This was a superb personal summation of what some of us feel. The writer has my admiration for her words. Congratulations for having said it and for saying it so well. If only the illusions would really be dispelled, this time! If only our "leaders" and the majority of PC public would wake up and truly do tshuva. Nekama is divine.

(39)
elghoul,
July 22, 2006 12:00 AM

reflexions of a moslem...

There is no need to be at war...for this is not what religions are aboutthey are here to help transcend our natures into higher grounds...we are all creatures of god...moslems(me), jews , christians, budhists...the great challenge is to stand beforegod and say that I have lived to my potential, I have remembered you during my life and I have never given up...no nation has the right to claim any peace of land ...for nations pass through time and sometimes they are masters and sometimes they are slaves...I will pass through this life as humble as I came and humbled I will be sent back to the ground...when I will see god I will beg forgiveness and I will say god I hope I was humble by myself and among my human brothers and sisters...no matter what faith they had...

(38)
Margarita,
July 22, 2006 12:00 AM

good article, but I think that we can do more

Good article, and I do believe that the whole situation is depending on G-d. However I disagree with author, I think that for all of us who do not live in Israel it is important to make sure that we fight with media for portraing Israel in wrong colours.One more thing, I cannot agree with Bob more. I think that we should finish the job we started.Thank you for interesting perspective.

(37)
Luis,
July 21, 2006 12:00 AM

Mortgage Due

What a moving and heartfelt piece. Thank you for being my eyes, Sara. For those of us who more than dabble in the Torah, the prophetic words of Jeremiah couldn't possibly ring truer. There is a prevailing undercurrent in the Jewish mindset that God will save us, yet again. How can we be so sure when our faith collectively wanes yet once more? There will always be those who disbelieve in this increasingly secular world; what remains amazing is that many Evangelical Christians(particularly in the US) are stoutly and piously more Zionist than a good deal of Jews themselves. And to think that all God asks of us is that we remain obedient and follow his ordinances and precepts. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

(36)
Richard M. Kollie,
July 21, 2006 12:00 AM

I pray along with u Jewish people. God be wi u

I am a Liberian who thought war before and I had been hearing about war in Isreal since Iwas in 1971 and my now are hearing the same war news about Isreal.we with u in Liberia.

(35)
Marjolein,
July 20, 2006 12:00 AM

What's the story with this latest war?

Israel is so much on the news these days. I needed to figure out, still do, what's the justification for such violence from Israel towards especially Lebanon. This lady has helped me understand a perspective of Israel which puts me at ease. Especially the last 2 paragraphs reveil to me again the beauty of Judaism at its purest levels. And so i will continue to pray that this war will come to an end, and that the people who suffer by it will find their strength in Hashem.Love and peace to you all!Marjolein van Loenen, Almere, Netherlands

(34)
ilana,
July 20, 2006 12:00 AM

G-d bless and protect Israel and give her strength

It makes me sick. The bias of the international media reports that focus on the bombing in Lebanon as though Israel had just up and decided to attack the country for no reason. Thank you for giving the other side that leads to the events of this war that ironically started on the eruv of the three weeks between Sheva eser Be' Tammuz and Tisha B"Av. It is a pity tour larticle is not published in the non Jewish media. Israel has few choices in this matter and must defend it's people. There are so many terrorists hiding among civilians in Lebanon. They should root out those who main and kill even their own kind before they start pointing fingers at Israel.Our prayers should be for the safety of Israel and the innocent.

(33)
Elleboudt,
July 19, 2006 12:00 AM

objectivity

Hezbollah should be disarmed, captured israeli soldiers sent back to Israel, I agree. They have killed innocent people, even children, and should be punished for their acts. But Israel should not act as the strongest boy of the class, by instinctively beating weaker pupils to prove his superiority. He should talk, negociate to reach justice. By killing of hundreds civilians, ruin the economy of Lebanon, Israel reaches anything but hate and shame on himself. Every human being murdered can't be used to justify a cause; a murder is a crime, for all and forever.If Israel can finally act as an adult, then its people will be able to say "we deserve, merit our land". As long as he persists to act like its ennemies, he will just be considered, by the rest of the world, as he considers its own ennemies.

(32)
Ma. del Consuelo de Sabre,
July 18, 2006 12:00 AM

the world is blind

I do not understand why "the media" and it means newspapers, magazines, tv, etc. when something happend to the arabs or the palestinians they put in the first pages big pictures and give all the "wrong information". They do not mention what is happening to the people in Israel, all the suffering etc.
Your article should be in all the newspapers so the world will know what is really happening.
One thing I know, nobody will distroy your spirit because it comes from God. Your are God's people; and one day our God will destroy to all your enemies.
I pray for the peace in Israel.

(31)
Michael,
July 18, 2006 12:00 AM

ISRAEL SHALL PREVAIL.

My prayers go out to the IDF soldiers and their families. The great stae of ISRAEL had to go to war. Enough was enough. May the ALMIGHTY bless ISRAEL, its people and the brave men & women of the IDF.
Michael/Chicago

(30)
Desmond Slade,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

This woman has seen the Truth

Please send this article to every Israeli. Only when Israel gets on its knees, lifts its collective hands to Heaven will it win the right to inhabit the Land in peace. "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning....for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.." Joel 2:12,13

(29)
Sharonah Montgomery,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Strength and Wisdom

May Hashem grant us strength to do all that we must to merit Israel and to protect all who dwell here in body and soul as well. May we have the wisdom to respond effectively and appropriately to all incroachments, both physically and verbally and may our leaders have the strength and wisdom necessary to lead our country well, fairly, humanely, wisely, passionately, and compashionately.

The fundamentalist Moslems do not depict the true face of Islam. May those who worship Hashem as Moslems be innundated constantly with all of the wisdom and compassion Hashem may grant to them.

(28)
Wendy Friedman,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Love

It is love that conquers all. This is evident also in Torah. God loved the Jewish people enough to give them his law and one of those laws is to love thy neighbor as thyself. This means that as Jews we are to love Arabs as well. I am not talking about the terrorists or fanatics out there that want to eradicate us, but to love ALL people in the land regardless of their differences. We should respect others and concentrate on our similarities and not on our differences. On the other hand, it is up to Israel to defend itself against these attrocites. But if we unite with the people that love the holy land and all stand up together against these terrorists, we can be stronger! It is up to us ALL, NOT just the Jewish people. Let's show Gentiles the same love that we show to our own people. That is the only way!

(27)
bruce,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

tank crews could carry portable airpacks

Couldn't the tanks be equipped with portable airpacks like firemen use so that if one is hit by amissile and the air is removed from the interior of the tank to keep the fire from spreading the crew could use a scuba tank to breathe from until help arrives , so that do not have to evacuate the tank and be at the mercy of the enemy??

(26)
Teresa,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

I support Israel

Just wanted to say I support the jewish people. And my heart and prayers are with the jewish people. May God protect you.

(25)
Anonymous,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Merit

How true it is that we must spiritually merit our peace in this world with God. I have heard over and over again of the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and what will happen. It is in our hands to follow the commandments. I am worried, because there are so many yet who must learn them and have the realizations that come with following the commandments. I say the Shema over and over to re-affirm our God, the Creator, and in the hope that more and more will come to realize the truth of the commandments and of the words from God. But I am worried - but still I persevere as much as I can.

(24)
Joe,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

All of this is just the opening gambit

Iran still has many more cards to play. We must pray. We must be strong. We must fight to win.

If we do not love our fellow Jews more, all of this will have been for nothing. If we do not speak with one clear voice, all of this will be for nothing.
If we do not wipe out Hezbollah in the coming weeks and get that "piece off the board" all of this will be for nothing.
If we do not believe in Hashem, all of this will be for nothing.

(23)
Anonymous,
July 17, 2006 12:00 AM

I am British and I think I am right

How to stop terrorists bombing your country.
Remember Germany? We blasted them with bombs until they capitulated.In other words, we didn't tickle them. We hit them hard and they haven't forgotten.
Now to Japan.The Americans hit them hard,no tickles there.No more trouble from them. Now then look at Iraq.We tickled them,they are still a problem.
Afghanistan tickled,still a problem.
Now take this example.My country is out of control because of the methods we use against criminals and terrorists, this is scaled down,but it is the same.You treat people with a tickle, they laugh at you and carry on.We have big problems with criminals,caused by the tickle policy.
We are still messing about in the Middle East because we use the tickle method.I think our idiot Tony Blair calls it."The hearts and minds Method".
Believe me that does not work.
Hit them hard and they won't like the game.Otherwise you will carry on for year after year tickleing and dieing yourselves,plus lots of other people.Blast them and finish it for good.
Good luck to you all in Israel, I hope you can finish it quickly.Show our idiots what they seem to have forgotten.Maybe then we can have a happy and peaceful world.At least for a number of years.
Bob

(22)
Yosf Sande,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Teshuva

Sara Yoheved Rigler is spot on as usual.
We must, must, must turn to Hashem, and cleave to His ways. Teshuva is the only answer. Look at the message He is sending us!! In the Haftarah we just read this Shabbos it says..."From the north shall the evil loose itself upon all the inhabitants of the land.." let's remember what Hashem has said "if only My people would listen to me, if Israel would walk in My ways, I would soon subdue their enemies.."

(21)
Sgt Anthony Todd,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Israel

I am not Jewish but Christian I feel for you people everyday and I hope that you defeat the enemy at the gates. I am in Iraq right now and willing to fight with my Jewish brothers so that the enemy doesn't touch the holy land. G@d's speed Sgt Todd Abu Ghraib Iraq

(20)
Bonnie,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

My prayers are with you

As an American Christian, my prayers are with your kidnapped soldiers and their families, the people and the leadership of Israel. May God uphold you with his strong right hand.

(19)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Ecxellent article

The author Sara Kramer displys in this article her great love for Israel, for the soldiers who fight for israel and the relentless sufferings the jewish people have to endure. Very touching.

(18)
aaron fox,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

the army was a tool a god for king david, that's good enough for me

one of the mitzvot we are to keep is to destroy amalek. therefore our army is just as spiritual as tefillin.

everything is explained very clearly in your painful, poignant article. your last paragraph says it all. may we merit speedy redemption.

(15)
Ben,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

We Must PRay To Hashem and Alter Rules of War As Well

Moslem terrorists have altered the situation in THE WORLD. THe GEneva Accords were written assuming some modicum of human decency and value for human life. This, unfortuantely, seems ABSENT in the MOSLEM world. Note in just 5 years MOSLEM TERRORISTS have purposely MURDERED THEMSELVES AND men, women and children , EVEN FELLOW MOSLEMS, in NY, PA, England, SPain, India, Russia, Suaid Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Philipines, Morrocco, Indhonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, ISrael, and Tuniusia and Lebanon! THey even kill their very own! THey seek to utilize Western concern for civilians and hide among them and use them as "shields".

THe rules MUST CHANGE in response to Moslem terrorists and their ilk - If Civilians are in the way - they should be warned - and if they are harborers or "shields" THEY WILL NOT BE AVOIDED IF THEY AR IN THE WAY!!! THis is Needed for World Security Against the Evil MOslem TErrorists!

If In ISrael it is INDEED a case - of US versus THEM, meaning as long as they are around they will seek to destroy Israel, sadly, THEN THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE!!!! And indeed, The Elimination of EVIL is a Good Thing, and we MUST pay NO REGARD to European or even US calls for "restraint", which would NOT COME if it was THEIR PEOPLE BEING SHELLED IN THEIR HOMES.

(14)
Irv Levy,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Incredible!

The war between the Arabs and the Jews is just unbelievable. Will there be no peace in our life time -NO! The Arabs are just unsettled within themselves to move on. They could have much more in a standard of life - no - they must fight the JEWS. THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SUB STANDARD WAY OF LIFE. It's too bad that we all could work together for all man kind and a better way of life.

(13)
Yehoshua,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

We shall merit the redemption

So many Jews in Judeah, Sameria and Aza kept and keep the Torah and mitzvot with such mesirut nefesh, such love, such attatchment to the Land of Israel! Surely their merit will stand out for the good of the Klal! Indeed, it were these holy settlers that warned time and time again that the South will suffer upon expulsion of the Jews from Gush Katif, and the North ever since we ran away from Lebonon out of sheer tiredness. Not all the Jews are tired, however. And we shall continue to derive strength and demonstrate stregnth and love for Israel, the Land and the Torah. We were the first to suffer in the callameties mentioned in the article, and for the most part we had only HaShem and His promise to comfort us, because the media and others chose to treat us as "asking for it" by choosing to live in such provocative places. We can be hopeful, that in the merit of these selfless and loving Jews, that HaShem will not forsake us, "ki lo Yitosh HaShem Amo v'nahalto lo Ya'azov."

(12)
jaime arango hurtado,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

What could I say about this article?
Nothing else but the same "The victory is not in the hands of hamas or hezbolah, not in the hands of the leaders, not in the U.S or U.N. Our voctory depends on us"·
How sad it si to read press around the world which comments that Israel should not answer terrorist atacks. They do not see that Israel has done for peace more than all the arabian, and the rest of the world together.

(11)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

The word of GOD is always correct

I am sorry for what happen in your country and my comment to you as GOD saied in jeremiah 9 11-12 we have to pray for israel and GOD WILL HELP US THE ONLY CHOICE THAT WE HAVE IS PRAY AGAIN AND AGAIN HE WILL DO .ALSO WE PRAY FOR THE TWO KIDNAPED SOLDIERS TO BRING BACK HOME DONOT WORRY GOD IS GOOD. GOD BLESS YOU .HE IS ALWAYS WITH ISRAEL.

(10)
David McCoy,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Thank you for putting a human face on the conflict. I feel your pain and also am praying daily for Israel. But do not fear. Pray more fiercely. God will never abandon His people.

(9)
Beverly Kurtin, Ph.D.,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 9:1 says it all for me.

Every time I read about the needless hatred that Jew has for some otherJew I want to scream to the high heavens. Are we so stubborn and stiff necked that we cannot learn from our history?

We just spent 2,000 years out of the land because in the time of the second Temple, we hated each other for the most moronic reasons possible.

I am (GASP!) a Reformed Jew. There are those who would say I am not a Jew at all! I cannot understand why one Jew would waste their time worrying about how I love HaShem compared to how they break the commandment about loving one's neighbor as themselves.

I LOVE EACH AND EVERY JEW ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH AND WILL UNTIL THE DAY I DRAW MY FINAL BREATH. For that matter, I will love every non-Jew too. Yes, I mean that. Why? Because it is hatred that brings about what we are seeing right now. If enough people loved each other just because they ARE, then war would stop in a single breath.

My wise sister, Sara, has, as always, hit the nail on the head. Thanks for once again saying the truth.

(8)
Gary,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

I am greatly saddeneed about this newest war

I live in Massachusetts in the U.S.A. I thank you for your article for I have a fear for not only my family living in Jerusalem but the entire State of Israel. Again I thank you,
Gary

(7)
believer,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

ms rigler does not speak for all of us

I live here too, , I am religious too, but I do not share Ms Rigler's politics. I do not read the aish website for political brainwashing to be presented in the same format as all your religious teaching. shame on you.

(6)
J. J. Morrison,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Your words are a spiritual gift.

I am so grateful for your perspective, so much better than the world's networks which are unashamedly biased and hopelessly secular. My prayers are for your safety, but also for your continuing courage.

(5)
Marcie Berkson,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Couldn't agree more

Dear Mrs. Rigler: Your article says the same thing that I have been saying to my friends for a very long time - long before this overt war started. It is so clear - anyone who davens the Shema and actually reads the words knows in some part of their soul that what you say is nothing new, and is absolutely true. Hashem said it to us quite clearly, and we have been repeating it for centuries. Unfortunately, it seems that many of us don't think it applies to us now, or don't pay any attention at all. I hope, and trust, and pray that Hashem is a more merciful judge than I am. If He's not, then I am terribly afraid and terrible saddened.

Be well and safe,
Marcie Berkson

(4)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

How true!
very well said
may we be zoche that we merit the land and see the comong of Moshiach b'MHEIRA b'yaMENU

(3)
David,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Heart gripping!!

Thank you very much for this article. Yes, I too will pray all the more ernestly for Israel as a nation and a people. It is incredible to hear the heart of someone who is there and loves and cares about people. I am deeply moved and touched by this article. Thank you!!

(2)
devora,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

amazing

(1)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Dedicating Israel

Agree with the concept...what if every main thoroughfare in Israel had the banner -"LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR" in all indicated languages strung across the path..lit up at night, so the world and Israelis would know the purpose of Israel.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

With stories and insights,
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